If you are already deeply involved with roses - teaching the public about roses and rose care - writing articles for your local society newsletter - talking about roses to all your friends and neighbors - or just really enjoy roses and want to learn more about them -
WHY NOT CONSIDER THE ARS CONSULTING ROSARIAN PROGRAM?
To become a CR, you:
• Must be a member, (regular or joint member) of the American Rose Society for three consecutive years.
• Must presently be an active member of a local rose society (extensive negotiations with the District CR Chair are needed to set aside this requirement).
• Must have grown roses of various types for at least five years and should be knowledgeable in all equipment and materials related to rose culture.
• Must provide letters of recommendation from any three Consulting Rosarians, on the form provided by the District Consulting Rosarian Chairman (downloadable .pdf form available here).
• Must attend an ARS school/workshop for Consulting Rosarians and complete an open book examination based on the material contained in the Consulting Rosarian manual. Once you pass the exam, you do not have to take it again.
• Must know and be willing to live up to the Consulting Rosarian Guidelines.
• Must be willing to attend no less than one Consulting Rosarian School in every three-year period.
• Must submit a completed individual annual report form to the District Chairman of Consulting Rosarians every year.
• Must submit a Roses in Review rating of the newer roses (listed in the American Rose magazine) each year.
• Must exhibit a continuing willingness to share knowledge and an enthusiasm for the rose and the American Rose Society.
How easy can it be??? You are not expected to be a genius, or to know everything there is to know about roses. That's what the CR Schools and Seminars are for - they teach us more about the flowers we love. The letters of recommendation can be from any 3 CRs who know you and have visited your garden. The open-book exam is easy - and you keep the book to use as a reference guide to all that stuff you are worried about not knowing.
The real reason we want YOU to become a CR is so we know that you have access to the latest information (the stuff we teach in the schools) and you know who to ask when you need to. If you are already doing the CR job (teaching or writing or talking about roses to everyone)